Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-07-13
AUNT PENNIMAN.
Jeans Practical Idea, and It's Ro-
mantle Ending.

II was shimmering April day, with the
rain drops Of the last shower shining in the
sun, when Jean drove over to the railroad
station, mile away, TO meet Aunt Penni-
man. Meanwhile prepared lunch Of bis
Quits, tea and dainty salad, and Laura
gave the finishing touches to the neat front
chamber, looping back the curtains and
with fresh violets TO adorn tho dressing
table. We made dear mother put on her
best and sit in the parlor to wait, for this was
great event for us, this coming of Aunt
Penniman. None Of US girls had ever seen
her, and neither had mother; but she was
fathers own aunt, and when he was alive
he had from time to time spoken Of her.
We always understood that she had mar
ried into q very wealthy and fashionable
family, in distant city. and from thence
forth had never visited her old home. We
knew that she was left q widow and child
less, and must now be quite an old lady.
When father died, leaving us with the
house, garden and two hundred dollars a
year, you may imagine that we girls had TO
awake out Of our dreams and learn to be
practical. Jean became most practical of
all, and she had need to be, for she was en-
gagged to young doctor, who had only one
or two patients to speak of, besides the
terminablo TO wait, unless something
"turned up" So Jean bent all her wits TO
the problem. She had schemes about rails
ing strawberries and putting up green
houses; she thought of setting out celery
plants, and she talked of dairy. But all
this was mere skirmishing. II added a
good deal to her general information, and
she made some pretty estimates on paper I;
but her real battles were fought in doing
all the marketing and shopping, all the max
ing and mending, and contriving costumes
out Of almost nothing. twas she who held
the family purse, kept the accounts, and
considered the taxes Mother and did the
housework and had three music scholars,
which helped not a little. Laura, our
youngest sister, was just out of school,
and not broken TO the harness. Some
day she would teach or learn a trade.
or do copying or something; but not yet.
She was fresh from school and in all the
glamour OF girlhood, and there is time
to laugh and u time TO dance, as well as a
time for every thing else.
Well, we were not getting ahead any,
manage as we might, and two anxious little
wrinkles came to stay between jeans
bright eyes. She was always planning and
scheming, and one wild, rainy day when l
saw her suddenly drop her work and 20 to
the writing-desk, knew fresh idea had
struck her. She wrote letter. and weni
out in the storm to post it. We asked no
questions, and she said nothing.
But week later she flew in among us
triumphant waving an open letter in her
hand.
"She's coming! she's comingw she ex-
claimed. "Aunt Penniman is coming to
live with US, and pay twelve dollars week
for her board It's all my own idea. l
wrote to her and told her how we were
situated and invited her to make her home
with us. She's a dear old lady, and our own
great-aunt, and ii will pay all our house
keeping expenses, and when she is i'll she
will call in Harry to doctor herl We shall
get along splendidly now. Just think
Aunt Penniman is comng!n
All mother could say was: "Why, Jean
Follctti' while Laura and sat speeches.
for moment, but only moment and then
we assailed Jean. How did she know but
Aunt Penniman was fretful, disconnected
old lady who would be constant trial
How did she know she had money enough
to pay her board. She might expect jellies
and wine and game. She might have rheu-
matism day and night, though indeed that
| might be why Jean had invited her, that
Harry should have chance to show his
skill
To all this Jean replied calmly that Aunt
| Pcnniman had written very sensible,
| friendly letter, had named her own rate of
board, had said she preferred plain living,
but wanted to spend her last days among
her frie2ds aad had 4 ,!is. tna
she would do something very handsome IL
our favor IL she made her nome with US.
IL was not hard to be persuaded, and W.
we're soon as full Of hope as Jean. Mother
rose to the occasion and planned all tn,
arrangements of Aunt Penniman's room
while began to study up delightful littl,
breakfasts.
"Ill be Aunt Penniman's maid 10 declared
Laura. "She will have gray hair, and
will dress IL every day, and will write he
letters snd read TO her. think 1t will b,
lovely to have an old lady in the house."
AT twelve dollars q week." said practi
:al Jean.
Aunt Penniman had set her day. II ha,
come and Jean had gone to meet and brinI
her home. After every thing was read.
Laura and stood at the door in fiutter.
sit seems as il our fairy godmother wa
coming" said Laura
Presently we saw them. Jean drove n
smiling and competent, and helped Aun
, Penniman to alight. The old lady steppe
brislfly toward us, gave us each hast
, kiss, and then went into the parlor wher
mother met her.
"The trunks will be here in a,minutt,
said Jean; 'the expressman is bringin
them. Three he is nowV'
: Such load of themi Six trunks, all old
fashioned leather ones, and three carpet
bagsl Jean saw them carried upstairs. PAL
the driver, and taen we joined Aunt Pen
niman. She was not the lofty patrician
looking old lazy we had imagined, bu
shrewd and good-natured In expression
with face stu round and full, aud wit
bright black eyes, and alasi for Laura
hair-dressing, a smooth brown foresop an
cap. She was tired after her long Journey
but still lively and talkative and please
with everything.
"What beautiful room" she said, whe
we took her upstairs. ut seems past lik
home to ne. One of the rooms in Il \ house
when my husband was living, was iust lils
this.n
She enjoyed her lunch and ate seartil,
| We were clad IN seo that aha said nOthin